Things to do in London this weekend

A three-day festival filled with music, science, art and technology. Basically, all the good stuff. It’s (mostly) free, and you might get to meet a robot.

Dance to the sounds of underground DJs from the Middle East and North Africa at the opening night of this fest championing new Arab art. Expect a programme of contemporary belly-dance, Yemeni spoken word, theatre by Syrian activists and more.

See the street art filled allotments taken over by vegan food stalls, live music, fire performers and tarot readers. Wind down the night with a calming Reiki session.

Get your countryside fix without living the capital. Expect chutney stalls, a bit of weaving and a very competitive ‘sheep show’. Did we mention that there's going to be a Shetland pony photobooth?

A fleet of brightly coloured dragon boats will be making waves on the usually calm waters of the Royal Docks as more than 40 teams battle it out on this annual competition.

Chow down on tasty plant-based grub as 50 of London’s top vegan traders set up their trestle tables in this former tram shed.

This legendary knee-sup is back for the forty-fifth year. Head along to bet on the snail race, enter the spaghetti-eating competition, see women-led morris dancing and the famous Waiters' Race.

Beavertown is opening up its Tottenham brewery for a summer party. Sip on 30 craft beers in a family-friendly setting. Or, go in the evening when the party starts up.

Bust a move to a live-coding DJ set, where algorithms create electro beats and psychedelic visuals.

Craft beers take their can art seriously. See some of the best at this exhibition of unique label art. Don't worry, there'll also be samples to sip from plenty of top London brewers.

Ice cream pros from Italy will be serving up their best flavours at this market dedicated to the cold stuff. A ticket lets you sample all the scoops and join gelato masterclasses.

Watch punk-feminist wrestling group Eve smash the patriarchy at this night packed with death-defying theatrical stunts and charged with cabaret, comedy and Lycra-filled fun. 

Author Howard Jacobsen, former Labour leader Ed Milliband and Catherine Heaney (daughter of late great Irish bard Seamus Heaney) are some of the speakers taking part in this weekend of literary talks and debate. 

The fancy French cooking school is opening its doors for a summer food and drink festival. Go for behind the scenes tours, demos hosted by top London chefs and workshops from Le Cordon Bleu alumni.